Pokémon X and Y: Which version is best?

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Each Pokémon series initially releases with two games — Red and Blue, Gold and Silver, Diamond and Pearl, and so on. Every release, fans ask the question: which version is better? With Pokémon X and Y, the answer may surprise you.

In past iterations of the franchise, each pair of games has a significant difference: exclusive Pokémon. In older games, before Nintendo and Game Freak decided to drag the series into the modern world and incorporate internet connectivity, this was a big deal. If you wanted to catch ’em all, you had to either buy two Game Boys and both games, or have a good friend who would sit around and trade you his or her version’s exclusives. In X and Y, the same mechanic of version exclusives apply, but this time around there’s a new mechanic that adheres to the staple version differences: Mega Evolutions. There are, however, other reasons to choose which game you purchase. First, though, the exclusives!

Pokémon X exclusives

Staryu and Starmie

Pinsir

Houndour and Houndoom

Poochyena and Mightyena

Aron, Lairon, and Aggron

Sawk

Swirlix and Slurpuff

Clauncher and Clawitzer

The box art legendary, Xerneas. Fairy type (which is new to the series). Has the Fairy Aura ability, which powers up your party’s Fairy-type moves.

Mega Evolution exclusives

Pokémon X gets Mega Charizard X, who changes type from Fire to Dragon, but remains flying. Pokémon Y gets Mega Charizard Y, who gains the Drought ability (which increases Fire attack), as well as has its special attack increase. X also gets Mega Mewtwo X, who becomes a Fighting and Psychic type, receives an increase in attack, and gets the Steadfast ability (which increases speed when flinching in combat). Y gets Mega Mewtwo Y, who gets a boost to special attack, and the Insomnia ability (immune to sleep).

Which Pokémon is best: X or Y?

As always, your play-style should dictate your decision, which means your decision should largely be based on which legendary you prefer, and which Mega Evolutions you prefer. However, Y has a slight advantage. The not-too-dark secret with the Pokémon series is that the game listed first in each pair — Diamond from “Diamond and Pearl” or X from “X and Y” — always end up selling more copies than the game listed second in the pair. So, if you purchase the second game in the pair — Pearl, Y, and so on — there are more people to trade with in order for you to get the other version’s exclusives.

With the inclusion of the competent online functionality, though, this edge has mattered less than it ever has, but it does still exist. If anything, playing Y will likely just save you some time scrolling through the GTS auction house-style system.